Alison Hammond has revealed she was the victim of a “terrifying” break-in at her home where the perpetrator left behind a knife.
The This Morning presenter, 51, spoke about the ordeal on the show on Monday and the impact the traumatic incident had on her.
She bravely revealed the incident during a discussion on a report on how 92% of burglaries remained unsolved last year.
The presenter described how someone broke into her home, which she shared with her son, and left a knife behind.
The Bake Off star said the ordeal left her feeling "violated" and "unsafe".
She said: “It’s a massive violation. I can remember my very first house that I got.
“I put so much love into making this a home and everything. It was the first house that I’d bought with me and Aidan.
“I hadn't moved in exactly, straight away, but I had all of my carpets done and everything.
“I can remember someone coming through the window and they left a knife in the living room, and they left footprints going up the stairs and throughout the house.
“There were footprints all over my brand new carpet.”
She continued: “And do you know, it put me off that house. I never felt happy there and I would never feel safe there again. It made me want to get rid of the house.
“I didn't at first, but then eventually after about a year, I got rid of it. I was never there and the neighbours let me know that someone had been in the house. But I never felt the same about it.
“I loved that house so much but I never felt safe in there.”
It is unclear where Hammond was living at the time of the break-in or exactly when it occurred.
Hammond shot to fame in 2002 as a contestant on the third series of the Channel 4 reality show Big Brother.
Weeks after the eviction she landed a job as a showbiz reporter on This Morning and her career has sky-rocketed since.
Hammond is one of the UK’s best-loved television presenters, working on This Morning and presenting The Great British Bake Off.
She has also appeared on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, Stars in Their Eyes, Ready Steady Cook, Coach Trip and Celebrity MasterChef.
She has been on a remarkable weight loss journey, shedding 11 stone and reversing a pre-diabetic diagnosis.
